What is the difference between Shia and Sunni? - Questions Archive - IslamQuest is a reference for Islamic questions on the internet

Text
Thematic Category
Question keywords
Question code number

Question

Answer

Question or Answer

Advanced search

Please Wait

Visit
12845

Last Updated: 2010/12/06

Website code number fa10957 Archive code number 11024

group Traditional

Summary of question

What is the difference between Shia and Sunni?

question

What is the difference between Shia and Sunni?

Concise answer

Although such a topic requires extensive discussion, we shall briefly mention, in two stages (beliefs and laws), those of the Shiite views which are opposed by Sunnis or a group of them:

A) Beliefs: Shia holds that God’s attributes are the same as His Essence; God cannot be seen in this world nor can He be seen in the Hereafter. It is not permissible on His part to punish an obedient and bestow rewards upon an offender. There is no compulsion in the religion. Imamate is one of the fundamentals of faith and the successor of the Prophet must be inerrant and infallible and it is precisely because of infallibility, which is known by none other than God, that the imam (leader) after the Prophet should be appointed by God, the Exalted. The Islamic governments should end up in Wilayah and obeying an oppressive and unjust sovereign is not permissible.

Shia believes that Ahlulbayt in verse 33 of Chapter al-Ahzab refers to Fatima (daughter of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)) and the pure Imams (a.s.).

Shia is of the view the prophets are infallible. They do not commit any sin, whether capital or minor, and whether intentionally or unintentionally; and that they are sinless from the beginning of their life till their last breath. Bada[i], Raj’at (return) and intercession are also some of the Shiite beliefs.

Shia does not consider all the companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) as just. There were different types of people amongst the companions. Some were just and some were hypocrites. Their fatwa (verdict) are not authoritative and valid for anyone.

B) Laws: According to Shiite jurisprudence, Taqiyah (dissimulation), fixed-time marriage, combining between two prayers and visitation of the graves of the infallible Imams are permissible. Shia believes that “Hayya ‘ala Khayril ‘Amal” (Hasten to the best acts which is prayers) is part of the Adhan. The gate of Ijtihad is open according to Shia.

[i] - Change in an earlier divine ruling.

Detailed Answer

The discussion concerning such a topic is very extensive and this answer cannot incorporate all the details. We shall briefly mention, in two stages (e.g. beliefs and laws), those of the Shiite views which are opposed by Sunnis or a group of them:

A) Beliefs and Tenets of Shiite Religion:

1. Although Tawhid (oneness of God) is a principle common between the Shiite and Sunnit schools of thought, Shia believes that God’s attributes are the same as His Essence. (See in this regard: The Mu’tazilite Principles of Faith, question 8864 (site: 8811) ; Types and Degrees of Monotheism, question 1913 (site: 3445) ).

2. According to Shia, God cannot be seen in this world nor can He be seen in the Hereafter. See (Shia and Sunni on Seeing God, question 8408 (site: 8477) ; God cannot be seen as explicitly denoted by verse 54 of Chapter al-Baqarah, question 6477 (site:8498) ; Seeing God, question 5621 (site: 7911))

3. Unlike the Sunnis, Shia holds that it is not permissible on God’s part to punish an obedient and give rewards to a sinner. (In this regard, see: Justice according to Shia and Mu’tazilah No. 5923 (site: 6122) ).

4. Shia does not believe in determinism and compulsion. (In this regard, see: Man and Freedom, question 51 (site:287) ; God’s Foreknowledge and Man’s Free-will, question 2084 site: 2135) ; Man, Predestination and Free-will, question 1896 (site: 2718) ; Determinism and Free-will, question 2035 (site:2085) ; Rejection of Determinists’ Arguments, 528 (site: 576) ; The Concept of al-Amr bayn al-Amrayn, question 58 (site: 294) and also numbers: 1221 (site1217) and 130 (site:1237) and 1550 (site: 1570) and 2035 (site: 2085) ).

5. The most important Shiite belief is the belief in Imamate. Shia holds that Imamate is a part of the fundamentals of faith and the successor of the Prophet must be inerrant and infallible and it is precisely because of infallibility, which is known by none other than God, that the imam (leader) after the Prophet should be appointed by God and that the Islamic governments should lead to Wilayah.

6. Obeying an oppressive and unjust sovereign is not permissible according to Shia.

7. Shia believes that Ahlulbayt in verse 33 of Chapter al-Ahzab refers to Fatima (daughter of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)) and the pure Imams (a.s.).

8. Shia is of the view that the prophets are infallible. They do not commit any sin, whether capital or minor.

9. Bada, Raj’at (return) and intercession are also some of the Shiite beliefs. For further information, see: Bada, Tablet, Book, question 65 (site: 306) ; Raj’at (Return) and Its Features); question 5774 (site: 6014) and 3006 (site: 3578) ; The Return of Prophets, Imams, question 5884 (site: 8995)).

10. Shia does not consider all the companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) as just. There were different types of people amongst the companions. Some were just and some were hypocrites. Their fatwa (verdict) are not authoritative and valid for anyone. For further reading vide: Justice of All the Companions, question 5920 (site: 6136)).

B) Laws:

1. Taqiyah (dissimulation) is permissible according to Shia. For more details see: Tarawih Prayers and Taqiyah, question 7286 (site: 7804) ; Reasons behind Taqiyah of the Imams (a.s.) question No. 1779 (site: 2132) ; question 3022 (site: 4099) .

2. Mut’ah (Fixed-time marriage) is permissible according to Shiite viewpoint. For further explanation, see: A Study of the Ahadith (Traditions) on Mut’ah, question 3320 (site: 4098) ; Fixed-time Marriage and Peacefulness, No. 2925 (site: 3130) ; Fixed-time marriage in the Quran and Sira of the Infallibles No.6146 (site: 6348).

3. The gate of Ijtihad is open according to Shia.

4. Shia does not accept ta’sib and awl [1] in inheritance.

5. According to Shia, combining between two prayers is permissible. For further explanation, see: The Sira of the Prophet and the Imams in combining between Zuhr and Asr prayers, 9346 (site: 9329).

6. “Hayya ‘ala Khayril ‘Amal” (Hasten to the best acts) is a part of the Adhan.

7. It is permissible to visit the Infallible Imams’ graves (we believe that not only visiting graves is not shirk (idolatrous) but it is very much a monotheistic act and there is a lot of reward in it.). For further explanation, you can refer to the following answers on our website: “The Differences and Commonalties between Shia and Sunni Schools of Thought on Mahism, question 1425 (site: 1708) ; Particulars and Features of Shia, question 4942 (site: 9686); and also books written in this regard including: Al-Jawame’ wal-Fawareq bayn al-Sunnah wa al-Shia by Muhammad Jawad Mughniyah; Ma’a al-Shia al-Imamiyah fi Aqaedehim, by Ayatollah Ja’far Subhani, Islamic Beliefs in the Light of the School of Ahlalbayt by Ayatollah Ja’far Subhani.

[1] - The principle of 'awl (proportionate reduction) is applied by Sunni jurists when the estate of the deceased is 'oversubscribed' by Quranic heirs. Ta'sib is applied by Sunni jurisprudence to give priority to male agnates as heirs, and this results in many mathematical complexities in their system of inheritance. The only really significant difference between the Shi'ah and Sunni schools of jurisprudence in the laws of inheritance concerns the principles of "'awl" and "ta'sib". The Imamiyah jurisprudents have proved by means of ahadith from the Ahlu 'l-bayt (a.s.) that there is no 'awl or ta'sib in the matter of inheritance. This was also the opinion held by the great companions of the Holy Prophet. The well-known statement of Ibn 'Abbas in which he speaks against 'awl and ta'sib can be taken as authoritative. There are also other grounds of proof for negating these two principles.

Question translations in other languages

Comments

Number of comments 0

Random questions

What is the validity and implications of the ahadith regarding akhar al-zaman in Qom?

7973 Contextual study 2011/08/18

After searching in hadith sources we found an number of ahadith pertaining to Qom that some say that Qom will be safe while others imply that it will be ruined and demolished. Some of them are general as opposed to the other set that refer to this event ...
What is the Islamic law about touching the name "Allah" in different languages without Wudhu? What is the ruling about touching the word "Israel" (which means Abdullah)?

8091 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/11/21

It is haraam, as an obligatory precaution, to touch the Name of Allah, without Wudhu, in whichever language it may have been written. And it is also haraam to touch, without Wudhu, the blessed names of the Holy Prophet of Islam, the holy Imams and Hazrat Fatima Zahra ...
What do the terms “Hukm” and “Fatwa” signify? What is the difference between the two?

9446 Fiqh 2011/08/10

A fatwa is a universally applicable religious law concerning a particular issue that is derived from the four sources of Islamic law (the Qur`an, the sunnah, ijma’ (consensus), and ‘aql (the intellect)) using the methodology of ijtihad (juristic interpretation).A hukm ...
How can we get to know God and rely on and truly love him?

7343 Traditional 2010/08/14

The term “God” is one of the most general and simplest concepts that everyone, even atheists that deny His existence, definitely have some kind of perception of, although comprehending the true nature of his essence is out of our reach. The ways to knowing ...
Is playing the violin, lute, and other kinds of musical instruments considered haraam? If so, is the lute, along with all other stringed instruments, considered an exception to this rule?

24431 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/03/07

In any given scenario, the obligation of a jurist lies not in dictating the ruling pertaining to a particular scenario, but rather providing a general ruling. After which, the general public is left with the responsibility of practically applying that ruling. Having said this, if a musical ...
Is tacit agreement which is not in writing considered and treated as partnership?

6104 Laws and Jurisprudence 2013/02/02

The answers received from the offices of two of the grand religious authorities are as under: Office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah grant him long life): If the purchase and sale transactions had been carried out by the buyer as an agent of the partner, the ...
What are the effects of contentment on our lives and how do we distinguish it from stinginess?

43065 Practical 2012/05/14

Contentment has been defined as a resting of the mind without craving something else. The word “qana’ah” which is the Arabic equivalent for contentment has been used to refer to satisfaction and happiness in an absolute and unrestricted way. As for the difference between contentment and stinginess, ...
What is the essence of death and can one delay it?

15090 Traditional 2012/10/20

According to Islamic philosophy, death means that the soul no longer manages the body and simply leaves it. This viewpoint can be traced back to the ahadith and Quranic verses that negate death being annihilation and the end of life. When observing Islamic literatures, one can find ...
Please mention verses from Quran which prove the Imamate of Imam Ali (as).

20061 Traditional 2010/01/19

The best approach in proving the Imamate of Imam Ali (as) for followers of the Sunni school of thought is through means of what has been mentioned in the Quran and narrations which have been mentioned in their own sources. Obviously, this can only be accomplished when an ...
What is the best mustahabb act a Muslim can do?

6656 Practical 2009/07/19

Continue... ...

How is Prophet Adam’s (A.S.) creation (about 5,764 years ago) make sense when fossils found from human beings are almost 25 million years old?

148814 Exegesis 2012/01/15

There is no inconsistence between these two. If we have heard that Prophet Adam has been created six to seven thousand years ago, this might refer to a different and new generation of human beings which started with Prophet Adam (A.S.) and might ...
Is lobster, clam, oyster and octopus halal?

108508 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/02/18

Eating lobster, clam, oyster and octopus is haram. According to religious resources regarding halal and haram meat, there are general rulings and numerous standards; for instance, a set of rulings has been given for land animals, sea creatures, birds and so on.The condition for halal meat sea ...
Why are shrimps halal and crabs haram? What makes one of them halal and the other halal despite the fact that both of them are from the same category?

106145 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2012/03/18

Although all Islamic laws are a result of the benefits or disadvantages and harms that back them, and there is a particular reason behind each and every one of them, discovering the exact reason in detail for every one of them is extremely difficult. The most we ...
What is meant by Sidratul-Muntaha that the Quran has mentioned?

105016 Exegesis 2010/04/07

This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
Is there any problem in sweeping and cleaning one”s house at night?

102743 Hadith 2015/06/07

1. Having conducted a research into Hadith (scriptural) sources, we found out that the narrations about cleaning, dusting and sweeping a house are absolute and unrestricted in the sense that they include both day and night. There is nothing to indicate that dusting and cleaning are forbidden ...
Can a Sunni girl get married to a Shia man and why? Please list the reasons.

101433 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2009/04/20

The popular viewpoint amongst Shia scholars and jurisprudents is that a Shia man can get married to a Sunni woman, but there is a difference of opinion regarding the marriage of a Sunni man with a Shia woman; most scholars see it as impermissible.The reasons behind the first ...
What is the definition of "Muslim" according to the Quran?

88961 Exegesis 2010/04/06

According to the Quran a Muslim is one who has absolutely surrendered to Allah and his commands and believes in pure Tawhid (the oneness of God) that isn't tainted with any Shirk and this is why the Almighty has introduced Prophet Abraham as a true ...
Why hasn’t Imam Ali (a.s.) been mentioned in the Holy Quran?

87679 Exegesis 2008/05/11

One should be aware that although the imam’s names, )especially Imam Ali’s(, haven’t been mentioned in the Quran, nevertheless, their names, )especially Imam Ali’s(, can be found in the Prophet’s sayings. One very good example is the hadith of Ghadir which is considered the official announcement of the appointment of ...
Why do we the Shia pray at three times while the Quran tells us to pray at five times?

79215 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/08/14

The reason the Shia perform their prayers in three times is the Quranic verses and traditions on the matter. Although the Quran has mentioned that prayer is wajib several times and hasn’t gone into the details, it has spoken of its times: “Maintain the prayer from the sun's ...
What is the way of preventing Ehtelam (having wet dream) during sleep?

64847 Laws and Jurisprudence 2015/01/05

According to Islamic teachings and experience of others, for decreasing concupiscence and preventing Jinabat, please refer to the following recommendations: 1. Avoid dreaming and try to make yourself busy with good things such as reading books (non-sexual ones), heavy exercise, etc. Moreover, remember that idleness can lead ...

Links

Developed by AfarineshWeb

Random questions

Popular

Links